30 Mill Cafe Opens in Malvern

Formerly a mortgage brokers office on a suburban street, 30 Mill (1 shot of coffee) cafe opened this morning opposite the Tooronga train station in Malvern.

Photography: Josie Withers

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Photography: Josie Withers

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Photography: Josie Withers

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Published on 25 November 2010

by Alexandra Cottee

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After almost a year-long wait for the go-ahead to turn a rather nondescript space into a cafe (soon-to-be) heaving with train commuters and locals, 30 Mill opened its doors in Malvern this morning.

A huge poster of the New York skyline and Frank Sinatra’s crooning lyrics of the same legendary song is the only relic of the former mortgage brokers who last occupied the space in on Milton Parade. But what takes pride of place is the shiny new Synesso Cyncra that’s perched on the counter.

Coffee is 30 Mill’s bread and butter. An old hand at third-wave coffee practices, owner and head barista James Laskie will be offering a Five Senses house blend, a rotating single-origin roast, as well as few more interesting additions to the drinks menu such as the 30 Mill affogato – 40mls of the single origin of the week poured over vanilla bean ice-cream, with a smattering of crunchie chocolate over the top.

The fit-out was entirely the work of Laskie and his father Ted, who built everything from the coffee benches to the large communal table and stools. A large 1940s lamp hanging on a system of pulleys and D-bolts nicely ties in an industrial-nautical theme, with a heavy marine rope anchoring the light to the wall with knots so impressive it becomes a feature itself.

The menu is limited, offering breakfast basics such as Noisette toast and pastries, organic muesli, and a choice of sandwiches for lunch or to pop in your bag before jumping on the train. But expect it to grow with time.